Lamp-cluster.



G. A. HARTER.

LAMP CLUSTER.

APPLICATION rum) MAY 20, 190B.

Patented July 26, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. A. HARTER.

LAMP CLUSTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 190B.

Patented July 26, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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GUSTAV A. HARTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; ASSIGNCR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. p

T0 VINCENT HARTER, OF

LAMP-CLUSTER.

ters embodying a plurality of sockets for electric lamps n exposed places,e. at the entrances of stores or other places of business. It has been found in practice that frequently lamps of special construction'have been removed by unauthorized persons or stolen because of their value.

The invention designs to provide an iniproved lamp-cluster embodying a series of lamps and which comprises means forpreventing removal of the lamps, or access-to the electric wiring by unauthorized persons, thus making it safe to employ these lampclusters in exposed placed.

' The invention further designs to provide a lamp locking-device which may be connected to a porcelain base in such manner that it cannot be removed when the lamps are locked.

The invention further designs to provide an improved lamp-cluster.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a lamp-cluster embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an inverted plan of the lock-case and lock. Fig. 5 is a section through the lock-case "and lamp lockingplate on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical View of the electric C011? nections for the lamps of the cluster and the switch.

The body or base 10 of the cluster is usually formed of porcelain or a. suitable non-conducting material. Sockets 11 in circular series are embedded in the base 10 in "the process of manufacture and are each the lamp. The socket-walls are formed with Specification of Letters Patent. P t t July 2 1910, Application filed May 20, 19084 Serial No. 433,834.

a gscrew- -hread to receive a corresponding threaded'base-portion of thevlamp-base 12 whereby the lamps will be held in the socket and in contact with the conductor-terminals. lila'ch lamp-bas'e as well understood in the art, is provided with a conductor-tip 14, iiisulated from the lamp-base 12 and whichis' 7 (ll{(fiOP-lQl'llllIltllS inthe cluster. The cluster is usually sustained ,by connectingnipple 15 to a fixture pipe through which the leading- 1n wires are extended.

As illustrated in Fig. 6 one of the lineconductors c is connected to a binding-post 16 which is connected by a conductor 0 with a conductor 15, which is embedded in the cluster body and has portions thereofexp'osed for contact with the tip 14 of each of the lamps. The other line-conductor b is connected to a drop-switch d which comprises a switch-member adapted to place a conductor (2 into circuit with the conductor Z), The conductor a is connected to a bind ing-post 16 which is connected by a conductor e to a binding post for each of the screw-threaded sockets 12, each of the binding-posts 16 of this series being connected to one. of the sockets by a bra nch-eondu -tor e Metallic screw-sockets 16 are embedded in the cluster-body and are adapted to receive screws 17 for suitably connecting the conductor-wires. A recess or pocket 20 is formed centrally in the underside of the cluster-body, through which the leading-in wires are extended in connecting them to the binding-post 16. A lock-case or support 21 is disposed in or underlies the recess 20 int-he cluster-bodyand is secured thereto by studs 22 having their upper portions embeddedand secured in the procelain clusterbody in the process of manufacture, and their lower portions are adapted to receive screws 23 which extend through the top wall of the lock-case and secure the case to the studs 22'and the cluster-body. This lockcase is usually cup-shaped, may be formed of sheet metal, and provides a chamber in which the lock, may be held.

Eachlamp is provided with an annular groove or recess 25 which is disposed near The locking-plate is provide the bottom of the cluster body when the lamp is in its socket, adapted to receive holding-means which prevent movement on the lamps .to secure them against removal from the cluster-body. This holding-means consists of a locking-plate or disk 26 rotatably connected to the lock-case-by a hollowstud 27 which extends through an opening in the top-wall of the case 21 and a nut which holds the case and late together.

5 with holders or arms 28, one for each lamp of the series, which are adapted tofit into the recesses 25 of the lamps respectively, to lock them against longitudinal movement or turning. All of the bolts being operated by the locking-plate, causes all of the lamps of the series to be simultaneously locked or unlocked. The locking-plate is secured against rotation by a suitable lock such' as a keyoperated lock, comprising tumblers 30 and a slidable bolt 30, which is held at one end by a screw 31 and at its other end in the wall of lock-case 21. This bolt 30 is ada ted to be shifted by a suitable key adapte to pass through a key-hole formed in the'locking-plate and its outer end. is adapted to pass into a'pocket 32 formed in'the lockingplate. Thus, when the bolt 30 is shifted to engage and hold the locking-plate, and the latter is held in position so that arms 28 will hold the lamps, the latter will be secured against removal. When removal of the lamps is desired, the bolt 30 will be Withdrawn from engagement with the-locking-plate by the key and then the plate will be free to be rotated to permit withdrawal of the arms 28 from the recesses 25 in the lamp-bases of the entire series of lamps.

In many instances it is desirable to ein-' ploy a drop-switch for the lamps of the cluster. The switch-cord in which the electrical conductors b, e for the switch are disposed, depend from the cluster-body and extend through the hollow-stud 27 of the locking-plate 26.

It sometimes becomes necessary to inspect the electrical-connections in chamber 20 of the cluster and for that purpose the lockcase and plate 26 are removably connected to the cluster-body by screws 23. To prevent removal of the lock-case and lockinglate only When the lamps are not locked in the cluster, openings 35 are formedin the locking-plate and are disposed to render the screws 23 accessible with a screw-driver when the locking-plate is in inoperative position, being disposed so that the screws will be inaccessible when the locking-plate is in position to lock the lamps. Resultantly, the lock-case and lockin -plate cannot be removed, and the electrical connections are inaccessible when the lamps are locked. When, however, the locking-plate has been unlocked and rotated to release the lamps by the manipulation of lock-bolt 30 by the proper 'key and the locking-plate rotated to bring openings 35 into registry with screws 23, the lock-case and lockingplate may be removed, the screws 23 being then accessible by a screw-driver.

Theinvention is not to be understood-as restricted to the details illustrated and described, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body rovided with means for removably hol ing a plurality of electric lamps, means for holdin said plurality of lamps against withdrawa from the cluster body, and a lock for securing the holdingmeans for said plurality of lamps in operative position.

2. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of lamp-sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding said plurality of lamps against withdrawal from the cluster-body and a lock for securing the holding-means for said plurality ofl'amps inoperative position. a

3. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of lamp-sockets, lamps removably held in said sockets and rovided with bases having grooves therein, holding-means adapted to enter said grooves to secure all of said lamps against withdrawal from the sockets and a lock for securin said holding-means for said plurality oi lamps in operative, position.

4. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of lamp-sockets, electrical connections for the lamps in said body, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holdin said plurality of lamps a ainstw thdrawal from the sockets, and a 00k for securing the holding-means for said plurality of lamps in operative position.

5. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of lamp-sockets and a central recess, electrical connections for the lamps extending through said recess, means forholding the lamps against withdrawal from the socket, locking-means for securing said holding means in operative position, and means for covering said recess to inclose said connections.

6. In a lamp-cluster, the combination ofiga cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets and having a central recess therein on its ,under' side, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding the lamps against withdrawal from the sockets,

, covering said recess,

means" forfsecuring said holding-means in Z 7. In a lamp-cluster, the combinationoffa cluster-body provided with a plurality of lamp-sockets, lamps removably held "in said socketameans for holding the lamps against withdrawal' from the sockets,"and locking operative position, {said holding-means and said :lockingv, 'ean's' being" removably con nectedto the cluster-body. 1

i In embimapn as cluster body provided withl'a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding the lamps against withdrawalfrom the sockets, locks ing-means for'securing said; holding-means in operative position and for-removably connecting the holding means and-[the locking-means to the cluster-body. T" w 9. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided. with a plurality of sockets, electric-lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding lamps against withdrawal from the sockets, locking-means for securing said holdin -means in operative position, and means or removably con necting the holding and locking-means to the cluster-body, said connecting-means being inaccessible when the holding-means is in operative position.

10. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding the lamps against withdrawal from the sockets, a lock for securing said holding-means in operative position, a lock-support, and means for removably connecting said support to the cluster-body.

11. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, and having a central recess therein on its under side, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding the lamps a ainst withdrawal from the sockets, a lock or securing said holding-means in operative position, a lock-support, means for removably connecting said support to the cluster-body, and means for rendering said connecting-means inaccessible when the holding-means is in operative position.

12. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held -in said sockets, means for holding the lamps against withdrawal from the sockets, a lock for securing said holding-means in operative position, a support in'which said lock is mounted removably connected to the clusterbody, studs secured to the cluster-body, a lock-support, and means for removably connecting said support to said studs.

13. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a'clustr-body provided with a plurality of sockets and having a central recess therein onits under side, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, means for holding the lamps against Withdrawal from the sockets,

alock for securing said holding-means in operative position, a support inwhich said lock is mounted removably connected to the cluster-body, studs secured in the clusterbody, a lock-support, meansforremovably connecting said support to v said studs, and means for rendering said connecting-means inaccessible when the holding-meansjs operative.

" 14. In a lamp-clusten the combinatioliiof a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric-lamps removably held insaid sockets, electrical connectionsin said: body, rotatable holding-.means for engaging said lamps to secure them against withdrawal from the sockets, and a lock for securing said holding-means in operative position.

15. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric-lamps removably held in said sockets, electrical connections in said body, a locking-plate provided with means for engaging said lamps to secure them against withdrawal from the sockets, and a 17. In a amp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, electrical connections in said body, a lock-support secured to said body,

a lockin -plate rotatably connected to said support or holding the lamps against withdrawal, and a lock for securing said plate against rotation.

18. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric-lamps removablv held in said sockets, electrical connections in said body, a lock-case secured to the cluster body, a locking-plate rotatably connected to said case, provided with means for engaging the lamps to secure them against withdrawal from the sockets, and a lock for the plate in said case.

19. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, electrical connections in said body, means for holding the lamps against withdrawal from the sockets, a support for said holding-means, and locking-means for 139 securing the holding-means in operative position, said support and locking-means being disposed so that switch-connections may be extended therethrough.

-30. Tn a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps reinovably held in said sockets, electrical connections in said recess, a lock-support having a central opening therein, means for engaging the lamps to secure them against Withdrawal from the sockets, and a lock for securing the holding- 1116211153 in operative position.

21. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided with a plurality of sockets, electric lamps removably held in said sockets, electrical connections in said body,a lock-support provided with a central opening therein, holding-means for preventing the Withdrawal of the lamps, rotatably connected to said support and open at its center whereby the switch-connections may extend centrally through said support and said holding-means, and a lock for securing the holding-means in operative position.

22. In a lamp-cluster, the combination of a cluster-body provided With a plurality of electric lamp-sockets and a central recess, electrical connections extending through said recess, a series of lamps held in said sockets, a lock-case removably connected to said body and beneath said recess, a lockingplate rotatably connected to said case, a lock in said case for securing the plate'against rotation, said plate and said case being provided With central openings through which switch-conductors may be extended.

GUSTAV A. HARTER.

lVitnesses:

FRED GERLAoH, LEONE S. RUSSELL. 

